Kitchen Design
2012 Trends: See What's Ahead in Kitchen Faucets and Fixtures
Dark finishes, integrated drainboards and even hidden sinks are having their moment
Many new kitchen conveniences and and styles are in store for remodelers this year, including integrated sinks and drainboards, sinks you can hide or personalize, stainless steel apron-front sinks, lots of new faucets, and new darker finishes. Read on for some faucet and fixture trends for your kitchen this year, based on trade shows, insights from The Home Depot, and ongoing industry research.
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Browse modern kitchen photos | Find a kitchen designer
Elkay Avado Sink
Modular sinks that incorporate flexible bowl configurations and accessories will be hot in 2012.
We've become so accustomed to personalizing our digital work surfaces, it's inevitable that we'll want to personalize our other work surfaces as well. Think of these as iSinks, with the i standing for "individual preference."
We've become so accustomed to personalizing our digital work surfaces, it's inevitable that we'll want to personalize our other work surfaces as well. Think of these as iSinks, with the i standing for "individual preference."
Silestone Nebula with Integrated Quartz Sink
Engineered stone countertops, a.k.a quartz, remain on-trend. What's likely to be a hot trend in 2012 is the integrated quartz sink.
Integrated sinks have been very popular for Corian, stainless steel and concrete countertops. Their availability from manufacturers, not just a few innovative fabricators, is new, exciting and likely to be a popular trend this year.
Integrated sinks have been very popular for Corian, stainless steel and concrete countertops. Their availability from manufacturers, not just a few innovative fabricators, is new, exciting and likely to be a popular trend this year.
I expect integrated drainboards to be a hot trend this year, too. They will likely be smaller in size than this dramatic model Blanco showed us at a Living Kitchen exhibit in Cologne last year. Most of the fixtures manufacturers at the show featured integrated drainboards, and a few have started to offer them in the U.S. market. Keep an eye out for them at a showroom near you.
Once seen mostly in copper and white, newer apron-front sink offerings are hot in low-maintenance, contemporary stainless steel.
Also expect to find more shallow apron-front sinks that are suitable for remodeling purposes. This means they will fit into a standard sink base cabinet with its false front removed and can be used when you upgrade to new countertops.
Also expect to find more shallow apron-front sinks that are suitable for remodeling purposes. This means they will fit into a standard sink base cabinet with its false front removed and can be used when you upgrade to new countertops.
Zero Radius Seamless Undermount Kitchen Sink
Dan Sullivan's Affluence Seamless Sink (now CreateGood.com), introduced the seamless sink drain when none of the major sink companies were interested in his invention. It won a major design award and the hearts of homeowners and designers, including me.
The majors have started to take notice, and are introducing their own versions to the marketplace this year. Expect to see more of these clean-lined sinks in 2012.
The majors have started to take notice, and are introducing their own versions to the marketplace this year. Expect to see more of these clean-lined sinks in 2012.
Country and rustic inspired faucet shapes will be big this year in both traditional and non-traditional spaces and styles. Bridge faucets will show up in expected finishes such as oil-rubbed bronze, but also in polished nickel. They will be large and available in traditional and contemporary styles.
Kitchen Faucets
More one-touch and sensor faucets will be entering the residential market. This will be a hot trend in 2012 as more homeowners take to their convenience and potential for germ reduction.
Dark finishes are showing up all over the place this year in some interesting variations. There is a new dark chrome several manufacturers are offering, along with brown and black composites and the still popular oil-rubbed bronze.
More:
10 Elements of Today's State-of-the-Art Kitchens
Fab Fixtures: The Wall-Mounted Faucet
Bronze: Ancient Metal With Modern Appeal
More:
10 Elements of Today's State-of-the-Art Kitchens
Fab Fixtures: The Wall-Mounted Faucet
Bronze: Ancient Metal With Modern Appeal
They are designed for "un-kitchen" open plan looks. In addition to minimizing visible sink mess, they also add kitchen counter and prep space.